Dealing with a Sore Throat in Children
If your child has a sore throat, your first impulse is probably to pack them up and head straight to the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon. Hold on just a moment, though. A sore throat could be Strep throat, but it could also be a symptom of a cold or sinus infection. Before you make an appointment with your Local Doctor or Pediatrician, look for other symptoms and see if this is just a viral infection that can be treated with rest and lots of fluids or whether it’s time to see the doctor.
Seeing a Doctor for a sore throat in children
Sore throats can be reason by viral infections, such as a cold or cough. Your child may experience a sore throat toward the end of suffering from a cold or an allergic reaction. This occurs when the sinuses are draining, and your child has swallowed a lot of mucous over a period of a few days.
If a sore throat happen in conjunction with a cold or cough, and there is no fever, you will probably not be helping your child out with a trip to the doctor. Instead, it is time to put them to bed and make sure they drink a lot of fluid. You might want to get a humidifier for their room for this time to moisten the air they breathe as they sleep.
If your child is old enough, throat lozenges can help relieve a sore throat. Generally, if your child is 4 years old or older, you should be able to give them a throat lozenge without any problem.
Making an appointment with an ENT Surgeon
If the sore throat seems to come out of nowhere, particularly if your child has a fever, make an appointment to see your Local Doctor or Paediatrician. Other signs that a sore throat is probably a bacterial infection that needs treatment (with antibiotics) include:
- A rash on the chest and/or back
- Neck pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty maintaining hydration
- Headache and stomach ache
If your child exhibits any or all of these symptoms, they may have Strep throat, which will not go away on its own. Untreated, Strep throat can develop into rheumatic fever, which can be dangerous. Fortunately, it can be take care of with a simple round of antibiotics